Cervical Cancer Information

Cervical cancer is a fairly common cancer that affects the woman's sexual organs. Most often, this cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. Usually, the immune system keeps HPV from doing harm, but sometimes the dormant virus changes the cells on the cervix into cancer. However, tests such as a Pap smear have reduced cervical-cancer deaths dramatically. Also, most cervical cancer can be prevented in young women if they receive a vaccine.

Symptoms

• Most early cervical cancer does not produce any symptoms, so it is important to get checked regularly by your gynecologist. However, as the cancer progresses, you will start experiencing some symptoms. The most common symptoms include bleeding after sexual intercourse, a foul-smelling, bloody vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during sex. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor.

Risk Factors

• There are certain factors that will increase your risk of getting cervical cancer. If you have many sexual partners that will up your risk of acquiring HPV, which causes the cancer. Also, having sex before you turn 18 ups your risk of getting HPV because immature cells are more susceptible to changes. Other sexually transmitted diseases also up your chance of getting HPV. Those with already weak immune systems are the ones who usually develop the cancer.

Treatment

• A wide array of treatment is available for cervical cancer. The most important factor on deciding the proper treatment is how invasive the cancer has become. If the spread is limited, treatment is usually limited to removing the abnormal cells. A surgeon may simply just scrape the cells off with a scalpel or laser, or freeze them. If the cancer has penetrated deeper than the exterior cells of the cervix, more extensive treatment is required. Most often the uterus is removed. Sometimes a combined therapy of radiation and chemo is used, but this will most likely leave the woman infertile as well.

Complications

• Most treatments for invasive cervical cancer leave women unable to become pregnant after. For many young women, this is quite distressing and it is important you discuss all possible outcomes with your doctor before deciding on a treatment plan. If you detect the cancer early, there are some surgeries that remove only the cervix, but leave the uterus functional. Once again, the earlier you detect the cancer, the easier it will be to treat.

Prevention/Solution

• The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to prevent the contraction of HPV. The best way to prevent HPV contraction during sex is using condoms. Also, delaying sex, having fewer partners and reducing smoking can cut down the risk. There is a vaccine for girls 11 to 26 years of age that prevents HPV. It is most effective if given before the girl is sexually active. Finally, routine Pap tests help detect early cervical cancer.